The COC Celebrates Ben Heppner

Canadian Ben Heppner, one of the world’s finest dramatic tenors, has announced his retirement from the stage.

"After much consideration, I've decided the time has come for a new era in my life. I'm setting aside my career as an opera and concert singer.

I wish to thank the countless people who inspired me, supported me and encouraged me to embark on a fantastic journey over the past 35 years. A million thanks to those who hired me. Most importantly, I want to thank everyone who ever bought a ticket.

I'm really enjoying my time on CBC Radio as host of Saturday Afternoon at the Opera and Backstage with Ben Heppner, and look forward to what the future has in store." - Ben Heppner

Ben has excelled in some of opera’s most challenging roles, drawing worldwide acclaim for his beautiful voice, intelligent musicianship and deeply felt dramatic presence.

Audience members at the Canadian Opera Company’s recent productions of Tristan und Isolde (2012/2013 season) and Peter Grimes (2013/2014 season) would have witnessed this first-hand and were privileged to see Ben in two of his signature roles – Tristan and Peter Grimes – in what are now among his final stage performances.

Get in the holiday spirit with COC artists!

By Danielle D'Ornellas

By Gianmarco Segato, Adult Programs Manager

This holiday season, many COC artists are getting into the spirit, using their vocal talents to share some truly great seasonal music.

Starting off the list are three singers with a long COC association! Ensemble Studio Alumnae Joni Henson and Virginia Hatfield together with their friend Megan Latham have just released a refreshingly different CD of holiday music, “Christmas at Casa Diva,” which can be purchased here.

While not exactly holiday music, tenor Richard Margison (Salome, 2013) sings the great songs of Italy with the Ontario Philharmonic at Koerner Hall on December 10.

From MET Live in HD... to LIVE at the COC!

By Danielle D'Ornellas

By Gianmarco Segato, Adult Programs Manager

As opera lovers the world over eagerly anticipate the return of live opera with the start of the fall season, increasingly, fans are also learning to anticipate a specific date each August: the day tickets go on sale for the Metropolitan Opera’s series of live HD transmissions.

This year those dates are Wednesday, August 14 (for Met Members, and for Cineplex Odeon SCENE cardholders) and Wednesday, August 21 for the general public. Many local HD enthusiasts still do things “old school”, lining up very early in the morning for tickets at venues across the Greater Toronto Area. You can also buy your tickets online, choosing the specific seat you want to sit in – but don’t dawdle as theatres sell out quickly.

The upcoming Met Live in HD season features a large number of artists and productions which have specific COC connections – here are some of the highlights: